Nearby Words
verb (used without object)
1.
to contract the brow, as in displeasure or deep thought; scowl.
2.
to look displeased; have an angry look.
3.
to view with disapproval; look disapprovingly (usually followed by on or upon): to frown upon a scheme.
verb (used with object)
4.
to express by a frown: to frown one's displeasure.
5.
to force or shame with a disapproving frown: to frown someone into silence.
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Frown
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is lollygag. Does it mean:
| chat, to converse |
| to spend time idly; loaf. |
noun
6.
a frowning look; scowl.
7.
any expression or show of disapproval: a tax bill that received Congressional frowns.
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English frounen < Old French froignier, derivative of froigne surly expression, probably < Gaulish *frognā; compare Welsh ffroen, Old Breton fron nostril, Old Irish srón nose < Celtic *srognā or *sroknā
1350–1400; Middle English frounen < Old French froignier, derivative of froigne surly expression, probably < Gaulish *frognā; compare Welsh ffroen, Old Breton fron nostril, Old Irish srón nose < Celtic *srognā or *sroknā
Related forms
frown·er, noun
frown·ing·ly, adverb
half-frown·ing, adjective
half-frown·ing·ly, adverb
un·frown·ing, adjective
Synonyms
1. glower, lower, gloom.
1. glower, lower, gloom.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To Frown
Example Sentences
- Banking regulators frown on this behaviour, as it is often used to disguise bad loans.
- On one hand, believers in the standards movement frown on social promotion and emphasize measurable performance in high school.
- Freelancers do this all the time, and it's about time that academia not frown on this practice.
Collins
World English Dictionary
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
frown
late 14c., from O.Fr. froignier "to frown or scowl, snort," related to frongne "scowling look," probably from Gaulish *frogna "nostril" (cf. Welsh ffroen "nose"), with a sense of "snort," or perhaps "haughty grimace." Related: Frowned; frowning.
The noun is from 1580s.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Word Dynamo Rating For Frown
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